Pianotech

Hello all.

I looked through the discussion of strings going flat and didn't see this question exactly.  On a Steinway B that has been stable for years, suddenly the left string of C5 went very flat.  It was OK when I finished but I got called back a few days later.  It is a tie-off, but it was restrung years ago and has been stable until now.  I'm wondering why this would happen.  My first thought was the tie-off wasn't as tight as it could be and adjusted itself, or perhaps the hitch pin is getting weak, or maybe something to do with the bridge pin (although I couldn't see anything like a cracked bridge), or maybe this string is about to break and this is its warning signal.

It has a CCS installed and is kept covered.

I just thought I'd ask if anyone experienced this.  If I get more clues I'll let you know.
Thanks.
Robert


------------------------------
Robert Callaghan
Reno NV
775-287-2140
------------------------------

Robert,

I would first guess the loop as well. However, I have encountered several instances where the becket slipped possibly from not being tight in the pin hole, but also simply for no noticeable reason. I think that simply re-tunibg it as you have, and then keeping a "close eye" on it to see if it happens again is the best course of action. 

Then, there is the REMOTE possibility that someone (owner or related) "messed" with it and could not fix it, but will not admit to it.  A quick look in the piano bench (if it is a storage bench) for a tuning hammer is a tip off. 

Or, you could have dosed off when you were tuning it...

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-11-2021 11:37
From: Robert Callaghan
Subject: One treble string goes very flat

Hello all.

I looked through the discussion of strings going flat and didn't see this question exactly.  On a Steinway B that has been stable for years, suddenly the left string of C5 went very flat.  It was OK when I finished but I got called back a few days later.  It is a tie-off, but it was restrung years ago and has been stable until now.  I'm wondering why this would happen.  My first thought was the tie-off wasn't as tight as it could be and adjusted itself, or perhaps the hitch pin is getting weak, or maybe something to do with the bridge pin (although I couldn't see anything like a cracked bridge), or maybe this string is about to break and this is its warning signal.

It has a CCS installed and is kept covered.

I just thought I'd ask if anyone experienced this.  If I get more clues I'll let you know.
Thanks.
Robert


------------------------------
Robert Callaghan
Reno NV
775-287-2140
------------------------------

I'd do the above, and check the becket if it happens again.

------------------------------
John Formsma, RPT
New Albany MS

Live not by fear or lies.
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-11-2021 13:52
From: Peter Grey
Subject: One treble string goes very flat

Robert,

I would first guess the loop as well. However, I have encountered several instances where the becket slipped possibly from not being tight in the pin hole, but also simply for no noticeable reason. I think that simply re-tunibg it as you have, and then keeping a "close eye" on it to see if it happens again is the best course of action.

Then, there is the REMOTE possibility that someone (owner or related) "messed" with it and could not fix it, but will not admit to it.  A quick look in the piano bench (if it is a storage bench) for a tuning hammer is a tip off.

Or, you could have dosed off when you were tuning it...

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 07-11-2021 11:37
From: Robert Callaghan
Subject: One treble string goes very flat

Hello all.

I looked through the discussion of strings going flat and didn't see this question exactly.  On a Steinway B that has been stable for years, suddenly the left string of C5 went very flat.  It was OK when I finished but I got called back a few days later.  It is a tie-off, but it was restrung years ago and has been stable until now.  I'm wondering why this would happen.  My first thought was the tie-off wasn't as tight as it could be and adjusted itself, or perhaps the hitch pin is getting weak, or maybe something to do with the bridge pin (although I couldn't see anything like a cracked bridge), or maybe this string is about to break and this is its warning signal.

It has a CCS installed and is kept covered.

I just thought I'd ask if anyone experienced this.  If I get more clues I'll let you know.
Thanks.
Robert


------------------------------
Robert Callaghan
Reno NV
775-287-2140
------------------------------

I would tighten the becket and make sure the child's are tight and level...(making them as circular as possible) lightly seat the string at the bridge pins and hitch pin.

------------------------------
Leslie Koltvedt
Marietta GA
734-657-7034
lkpianos@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-11-2021 13:52
From: Peter Grey
Subject: One treble string goes very flat

Robert,

I would first guess the loop as well. However, I have encountered several instances where the becket slipped possibly from not being tight in the pin hole, but also simply for no noticeable reason. I think that simply re-tunibg it as you have, and then keeping a "close eye" on it to see if it happens again is the best course of action.

Then, there is the REMOTE possibility that someone (owner or related) "messed" with it and could not fix it, but will not admit to it.  A quick look in the piano bench (if it is a storage bench) for a tuning hammer is a tip off.

Or, you could have dosed off when you were tuning it...

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 07-11-2021 11:37
From: Robert Callaghan
Subject: One treble string goes very flat

Hello all.

I looked through the discussion of strings going flat and didn't see this question exactly.  On a Steinway B that has been stable for years, suddenly the left string of C5 went very flat.  It was OK when I finished but I got called back a few days later.  It is a tie-off, but it was restrung years ago and has been stable until now.  I'm wondering why this would happen.  My first thought was the tie-off wasn't as tight as it could be and adjusted itself, or perhaps the hitch pin is getting weak, or maybe something to do with the bridge pin (although I couldn't see anything like a cracked bridge), or maybe this string is about to break and this is its warning signal.

It has a CCS installed and is kept covered.

I just thought I'd ask if anyone experienced this.  If I get more clues I'll let you know.
Thanks.
Robert


------------------------------
Robert Callaghan
Reno NV
775-287-2140
------------------------------

This is a favorite issue of mine.  I am of the opinion that many, if not most of the instability of strings like this are caused by friection at the bridge being released from temperature or playing changes.  If this is a regular issue then I recommend investigating your tuning technique and see if more overpull during "pin setting" might prevent it.

Others may differ.

------------------------------
Blaine Hebert
Duarte CA
626-795-5170
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-11-2021 11:37
From: Robert Callaghan
Subject: One treble string goes very flat

Hello all.

I looked through the discussion of strings going flat and didn't see this question exactly.  On a Steinway B that has been stable for years, suddenly the left string of C5 went very flat.  It was OK when I finished but I got called back a few days later.  It is a tie-off, but it was restrung years ago and has been stable until now.  I'm wondering why this would happen.  My first thought was the tie-off wasn't as tight as it could be and adjusted itself, or perhaps the hitch pin is getting weak, or maybe something to do with the bridge pin (although I couldn't see anything like a cracked bridge), or maybe this string is about to break and this is its warning signal.

It has a CCS installed and is kept covered.

I just thought I'd ask if anyone experienced this.  If I get more clues I'll let you know.
Thanks.
Robert


------------------------------
Robert Callaghan
Reno NV
775-287-2140
------------------------------

Notice that C5 on a Steinway, is right near the treble strut, and is always among both the most challenged tones of the instrument, and the hardest to tune, even with new strings.

------------------------------
Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-12-2021 00:41
From: Blaine Hebert
Subject: One treble string goes very flat

This is a favorite issue of mine.  I am of the opinion that many, if not most of the instability of strings like this are caused by friection at the bridge being released from temperature or playing changes.  If this is a regular issue then I recommend investigating your tuning technique and see if more overpull during "pin setting" might prevent it.

Others may differ.

------------------------------
Blaine Hebert
Duarte CA
626-795-5170

Original Message:
Sent: 07-11-2021 11:37
From: Robert Callaghan
Subject: One treble string goes very flat

Hello all.

I looked through the discussion of strings going flat and didn't see this question exactly.  On a Steinway B that has been stable for years, suddenly the left string of C5 went very flat.  It was OK when I finished but I got called back a few days later.  It is a tie-off, but it was restrung years ago and has been stable until now.  I'm wondering why this would happen.  My first thought was the tie-off wasn't as tight as it could be and adjusted itself, or perhaps the hitch pin is getting weak, or maybe something to do with the bridge pin (although I couldn't see anything like a cracked bridge), or maybe this string is about to break and this is its warning signal.

It has a CCS installed and is kept covered.

I just thought I'd ask if anyone experienced this.  If I get more clues I'll let you know.
Thanks.
Robert


------------------------------
Robert Callaghan
Reno NV
775-287-2140
------------------------------

In addition to tightening the space in the tuning pin coil and squeezing the becket bend I would tap the hitch pin loop and tighten that coil . Seat the string at the bridge and check the tightness of the bridge pins. Also take a torque reading on the pin with a torque wrench.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-11-2021 11:37
From: Robert Callaghan
Subject: One treble string goes very flat

Hello all.

I looked through the discussion of strings going flat and didn't see this question exactly.  On a Steinway B that has been stable for years, suddenly the left string of C5 went very flat.  It was OK when I finished but I got called back a few days later.  It is a tie-off, but it was restrung years ago and has been stable until now.  I'm wondering why this would happen.  My first thought was the tie-off wasn't as tight as it could be and adjusted itself, or perhaps the hitch pin is getting weak, or maybe something to do with the bridge pin (although I couldn't see anything like a cracked bridge), or maybe this string is about to break and this is its warning signal.

It has a CCS installed and is kept covered.

I just thought I'd ask if anyone experienced this.  If I get more clues I'll let you know.
Thanks.
Robert


------------------------------
Robert Callaghan
Reno NV
775-287-2140
------------------------------

Perhaps the loop was not tapped to the bottom of the hitch pin and it suddenly slipped down. Check all hitch pin/loop contact points.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-11-2021 11:37
From: Robert Callaghan
Subject: One treble string goes very flat

Hello all.

I looked through the discussion of strings going flat and didn't see this question exactly.  On a Steinway B that has been stable for years, suddenly the left string of C5 went very flat.  It was OK when I finished but I got called back a few days later.  It is a tie-off, but it was restrung years ago and has been stable until now.  I'm wondering why this would happen.  My first thought was the tie-off wasn't as tight as it could be and adjusted itself, or perhaps the hitch pin is getting weak, or maybe something to do with the bridge pin (although I couldn't see anything like a cracked bridge), or maybe this string is about to break and this is its warning signal.

It has a CCS installed and is kept covered.

I just thought I'd ask if anyone experienced this.  If I get more clues I'll let you know.
Thanks.
Robert


------------------------------
Robert Callaghan
Reno NV
775-287-2140
------------------------------